US Esprit 02+ ECU is it the same

[Toua]

I was reading some info about the US Esprit and was wondering if it's true that the US Esprit 02+ does not have the Sport 350 ECU unlike the UK speck.. I just want a confirmation on this.

[Rob]

I was reading some info about the US Esprit and was wondering if it's true that the US Esprit 02+ does not have the Sport 350 ECU unlike the UK speck.. I just want a confirmation on this.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

is it true? yes.

The only esprit to get the Sport 350 ecu was the Sport 350. No other esprits got that specification, not even the later euro cars. There were differences year on year for sure, but none got the 350 code. USA ecus' are different to uk as they have different emissions regs to comply with.

Lots of v8's have had ecu upgrades however, since they left the factory. I have the 350 spec in my 98 V8-GT.

All the info you need is on lotusespritworld - kato has a section on v8 esprit ecus.

[actwon]

is it true? yes.

The only esprit to get the Sport 350 ecu was the Sport 350.  No other esprits got that specification, not even the later euro cars.  There were differences year on year for sure, but none got the 350 code.  USA ecus' are different to uk as they have different emissions regs to comply with.

Lots of v8's have had ecu upgrades however, since they left the factory.  I have the 350 spec in my 98 V8-GT.

All the info you need is on lotusespritworld - kato has a section on v8 esprit ecus.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My manual says that my US 2000 v8 has the Sport 350 ECU in it. I will read my manual again to make sure that's what it said. I may have mis-interpreted it. Is there a way we can verify this for certain? VIN? ECU serial #?

[EspritFactFile]

My manual says that my US 2000 v8 has the Sport 350 ECU in it.  I will read my manual again to make sure that's what it said.  I may have mis-interpreted it.  Is there a way we can verify this for certain?  VIN?  ECU serial #?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

As Rob explained, technically, there are many variations of the ECU code and these relate to the emission regulations of the country of sale.

In the US, Lotus made minor tweaks to the code throughout the years but also made available a "Hi-torque option" upgrade that was installed by folks at Lotus Cars USA. Technically, the Hi-torque code is very similar to the Sport 350 code and many V8 owners have bought the upgrade. In 1999, Lotus sold 8 Sport 350 clones which, although not completely identical to the European conterparts, did include the Hi-torque ECU as standard equipment. Also, for the Final Run edition of the Esprit V8 in the USA (2003.5-2004), Lotus included the Hi-torque as stock.

BTW: Although Lotus claims that the ECU code in the Final Run Esprit only increases torque and not horsepower, at least one person (Allan from Lambo-Power) dynoed his car as soon as he bought it new and it came out to 344rwhp which implies that these cars are much more powerful than Lotus has led on.